Implementation of strategic objectives and action in the critical areas of concern: child and dependant care, including sharing of responsibilities between men and women (agenda item 3 (c) (iii)) 26. At the 10th meeting, on 15 March, the Commission held a panel discussion on the sub-item and heard presentations by the following experts: Kathryn Tolbert, The Population Council, Mexico Office; Mihaela-Rodica Stanoiu, Secretary of State on Women’s Affairs and Family Policies, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Romania; Misrak Elias, Senior Adviser, Women in Development, United Nations Children’s Fund; Anne Havnør, Senior Executive Officer, Ministry of Children and Family Affairs, Norway; Chen Guomei, Vice-President, China Family Education Association, and Professor, Beijing Normal University. 27. A statement was made by the Chairperson. 28. At the same meeting, the Commission held a dialogue among Governments, in which the following delegations participated: Namibia, Tunisia, Mali, Sudan, Netherlands, Austria, Zimbabwe, Italy and Finland. 29. Statements were made by the observers for the following non-governmental organizations: a caucus on shared responsibilities and a non-governmental organization committee on the status of women, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and World Federation of United Nations Associations. 30. The panellists responded to points raised. 31. At the 11th meeting, on 18 March, the Commission held a dialogue among Governments, in which the following delegations participated: Thailand, United States of America, Swaziland, Republic of Korea, China, Chile, Japan, Israel, Ghana, Cuba, Italy, Namibia, Guinea, Canada, Mexico, Sudan, Ecuador, Pakistan, France, Botswana, Angola, Finland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Sweden. ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION Release of women and children taken hostage in armed conflicts and imprisoned 32. At the 11th meeting, on 18 March, the observer for Azerbaijan, 69/ on behalf of Argentina, 69/ Azerbaijan, 69/ Bangladesh, 69/ Bosnia and Herzegovina, 69/ Cambodia, 69/ Ecuador, Egypt, 69/, Georgia, 69/ Kuwait, 69/ Kyrgyzstan, 69/ Malaysia, Mozambique, 69/ Pakistan, 69/ Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, 69/ Turkmenistan, 69/ the United Arab Emirates, 69/ Uzbekistan 69/ and Zimbabwe, 69/ introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1996/L.1) entitled "Release of women and children taken hostage in armed conflicts and imprisoned". Subsequently, Botswana, 69/ Burkina Faso, 69/ Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, 69/ the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, 69/ Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, 69/ the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, 69/ Kazakstan, 69/ Lebanon, Liberia, 69/ Mali, Namibia, Panama, 69/ Peru, 69/ Qatar, 69/ South Africa, 69/ Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania, 69/ Venezuela 69/ and Zambia 69/ joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 69/ In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. -50-